Police raid Seoul city offices, contractors over overpass collapse
May 29 (Asia Today) -- Police launched a compulsory investigation Friday into the collapse of the Seosomun overpass in Seoul that killed three people, raiding city offices and construction companies involved in the demolition project.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Major Crimes Investigation Unit said it began search and seizure operations at about 9 a.m. at seven locations, including the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Urban Infrastructure Headquarters, the headquarters of the main contractor and subcontractors and the construction site office.
A total of 53 people were mobilized for the raids, including 33 officers from the police unit and 20 labor inspectors from the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office.
Police plan to secure construction-related records, safety management documents and work logs to determine whether the demolition process followed required procedures and whether safety measures were properly implemented.
Part of the deck of the Seosomun overpass collapsed at about 2:33 p.m. Monday at a demolition site in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun District, western Seoul. Three people, including workers, were killed and three others were injured.
Abnormal signs reportedly were found during demolition work earlier that morning, prompting work to be suspended. The collapse occurred later while a safety inspection was underway.
Police will examine the seized materials and results from the on-site inspection to determine whether the demolition work was carried out in line with the safety management plan. They will also investigate whether officials involved in the project took appropriate action after warning signs were detected before the collapse.
Authorities are also reviewing possible charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury, as well as potential violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260529010008701
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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 5:19 PM.